The Nigerian Navy’s “Operation Delta Sanity,” launched for increased maritime surveillance, has led to the arrest of over 14 rogue oil vessels in Rivers State alone in the first quarter of this year, Report informs referring to the Premium Times.
This is in addition to 90 badges, 74 suspects, companies and organizations nabbed for the pillaging. The mess highlights the escalation of oil theft and attempts to contain it. With Nigeria’s present economic maelstrom, tightening the noose on marauders in its maritime space has become non-negotiable. The corporate brigands involved, often shamelessly protected by the authorities, need to be unmasked and named.
In Delta State, Tantita Security Service Company intercepted MT Kali in Warri, which necessitated the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa’s visit to the place. Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, who disclosed the arrest of the 14 oil ships recently at a meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, noted that most of the cases are at various levels of investigation. The inquest should be thorough and speedy, followed by the prosecution of suspects, and those found culpable convicted with stiff penalties.
This illicit business, worth billions of dollars in value, involves a complex web of local and international collaborators. Nigeria loses about 400,000 barrels of crude daily, or $40 million, according to experts. A total of $4 billion was lost in 2021.
